The conference — held under the slogan: MWL — Reality and Future Prospects — was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the pan-Islamic body’s establishment. Renowned Muslim scholars from across the world participated in the conference, which was opened by Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

“The Palestinian cause is of utmost concern to all Muslims. Muslim leaders and organizations should continue their defense of the Palestinian people and their right to establish their own state with Al-Quds as its capital,” the conference said in its final communiqué.

The conference condemned the unethical siege of Gaza and asked the UN, UNESCO and all peace-loving organizations to stop Israel from demolishing the Aqsa Mosque, confiscating its endowments and Judaizing its surroundings to build the Temple of Solomon in its place.

It also called for supporting the steadfastness of the besieged people of Gaza and supplying them with urgent human assistance. It asked countries of the world, and their people and organizations to exert all possible efforts to end the predicament of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and urged the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to continue efforts until the blockade of Gaza is lifted.

“Muslims must be prepared to defend their homelands particularly since Israel owns a large nuclear arsenal that threatens the security of Muslims. Muslim and Arab countries must exert efforts with the concerned bodies to apply international laws concerning nuclear arms on Israel,” the communiqué said.

The conference called for the setting up of an Islamic delegation to make effort to unite Sudan, Iraq and Somalia. “The delegation should visit the three countries to ensure their unity and stability,” the communiqué said. It also urged governments to recognize the independent republic of Kosovo according to the decision of the International Court of Justice.

The conference further urged Muslim governments to spread the teachings of Islam and called for the establishment of an international institute in the MWL, bearing the name of King Abdullah, to qualify imams, preachers and muftis in countries where Muslims are a minority. It also called on the MWL to provide more qualified Muslim preachers in Africa.

“The International Center to Support Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) must be upgraded into an independent international authority and coordination must be consolidated with education ministries in Muslim countries to focus on the moderate teachings of Islam in religious syllabus,” the communiqué said.

It called for the establishment of an independent entity to support the Muslim minorities and resolve their problems, and asked Muslim minorities to respect the rules and laws of the countries in which they live.